How Are You Leading?

To become a successful Leader of people, you must realize that success is not all about you. It is all about ‘Them,’ your people. Can you forget about yourself completely and instead think in terms of your people’s needs? Are you genuinely interested in wanting your people to succeed?

Your task, then is to behave in a way that is

‘Good FOR Your PeopleNOT
Good TO Them’

Of course it is easier to say ‘yes’ to everyone. After all, you want to please. You don’t want to upset or offend anyone, do you? But leading a team or a company is just like parenting, isn’t it? You sometimes have to make decisions that are not popular..When your children want to eat candy at every meal; it certainly would be less stressful to be good TO them…give in and let them; but would that be good FOR them, in the long run,?… NO!

You should Treat people Fairly But Not Equally

You see, there is a difference between ‘Equal’ and ‘Fair.’ Everyone needs to be treated fairly, of course; but not everyone should be treated equally. One concept that many effective leaders use is to ‘match their commitment to the commitment of the individual. For example, if someone on your team always gives 150% successful effort and attention to every task…. that’s the person that would warrant more attention from you, isn’t it?

You must blend Candor with Kindness.

When some ‘course correction’ is needed for one on your team; don’t let it ‘slide.’ Yes, it is stressful critiquing someone’s performance or behavior, but you do them no favor by not addressing it. You feel awkward …… but it is not about you, is it? It is about doing what’s best for them! And as long as you employ Candor with Kindness, your team member will thank you for it.

A Leader Must Do For His/Her People What Needs To Be Done When It Needs To Be Done!

Good Leadership is not a popularity contest! Good Leadership is about gaining the confidence, trust and respect of your people, because they know you want their success, more than you want your own!